Well, this blog isn’t about me or my story. It’s about two amazing ladies in my life and numerous other wonderful friends and family members of friends.

In years past, I prepare for the adventure that is the MS150 to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) that affects millions of people worldwide, including my wonderful mom Valorie Noe. She’s been a rock throughout my life and this is the best way I know how to help find a cure for a frustrating and disabling disease.

Well, my passion for fundraising and first-hand knowledge of this frustrating, relentless disease grew ten fold in May 2008. Approximately five days after the 2008 MS150, my wife Andrea was diagnosed with MS. Man, life is full of surprises and this was the ultimate blindside punch.

The road leading up to the diagnosis was a rocky one. Shortly after giving birth to our second son Carson, Andrea began having trouble walking, specifically issues with her left leg dragging when she got tired or too hot. After months of numerous MRIs, tests, physical therapy and doctor’s visits, we were almost relieved to have a name for her symptoms.

It’s been about 18 months and thanks to the drugs and wonderful doctors, Andrea is doing better. Well, she’s not doing worse. That may sound negative but that’s the way you treat MS… hope is primarily based on not getting worse.

For the most part, her symptoms do not stop her from being an incredible mother to our two wild-and-crazy boys, amazing wife to a well-intentioned husband, wonderful teacher to her pre-schoolers, and thoughtful friend to her tight-nit circle of girlfriends. She is a rock and source of inspiration to all of the above, but especially to me.

So that brings us to how we can make a different together. The MS150 – a two day, 150 mile bike ride – raises awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. As I’ve expressed before, it’s an incredible event that’s filled with hills, thrills and great times. As always, I’m riding with the Feisty Devils, the largest friends and family team in the nation. Lead by some of the most amazing and inspiring leaders I know, we have raised over $1,000,000 and counting for MS research. But we need your help in continuing the fight against MS by supporting events like the MS150 which funds newer & better drugs.

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